My final project is going to be about the evolution of learning tools and how it doesn’t go in a straight line, but loops and calls back to each other in reference. Our modern learning objects always call back to its roots whether it be the form or the material. In our modern technological formats, aesthetic and build still revolves around early models of technology. While things digitally and physically evolve, we still have significant traces to early knowledge media because of how we choose to format it like our digital bookshelf or flip phones. Our aesthetics of modern media relies on previous models to make its reputation congruent with knowledge. 

The earliest wax tablet currently found is from 7th BCE according to The British Library and at the time was used for documentation and learning. In the images I’ve seen, tablets are typically either one lone tablet or if two, are attached to one another like a book. I found that computers, notebooks, and regular books fold the same way; containing two sides with the information in the middle of the pages and a spine that connects the two. The wood that makes up the sides of the tablet also can be seen like a google doc, with the margins of a page and the type in the middle. 

In my essay, I will discuss how the aesthetics and build of different learning technologies like books, computers, and online applications reference the historical tablet.  

For my creative project, I will be making a wax tablet which has a back and front container made out of wood which holds wax and is attached by thread or another material. I want to be able to transport it as I will be building it this week when I’m home so I want it to be able to fully close as well.